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Preventing death and serious injury from falling trees and branches

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Abstract

Of 128 outdoor education related deaths examined since 1960, 14 have been due to falling trees or branches. This article examines the grounds on which death or serious injury due to falling trees or branches can be regarded as an inherent risk in outdoor education, and the extent to which such incidents can be regarded as preventible. It compares alternative approaches to prevention, and draws conclusions about how best to reduce the risk in the future.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia

    Andrew Brookes PhD (teaches and researches in the School of Outdoor Education and Environment)

Authors
  1. Andrew Brookes PhD
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Correspondence to Andrew Brookes PhD.

Additional information

In addition to his research on fatal incidents and safety, he has interests in outdoor environmental education, and examining the validity of claimed aims and purposes for outdoor education. He is presently completing a study examining some educational aspects of long term travel in remote Australia by families.

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Brookes, A. Preventing death and serious injury from falling trees and branches. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 11, 50–59 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03400857

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03400857

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